When Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of the great Babylonian empire, dreamed of an awesome image, he was seeing world history unfold from his time to the time when Christ would return to set up God's Kingdom on earth. (See accompanying article, "An Outline of Future History.")

Today we are most interested in the feet and 10 toes of the image, which God showed Daniel would exist at the time when the Kingdom of God would be established. God identifies the 10 toes as 10 kings or authorities, partly strong and partly weak.

Rome, the fourth empire of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, ruled the world from its European center. The successive manifestations of that empire through history have also been centered in Europe. We should be keenly aware of what is developing in Europe, as well as other regions of the world such as the Middle East.

Since World War II, the nations of Europe have moved slowly toward unity. From a grouping of six nations, it has become the European Community, first of 12, now, 15.

A single currency

Now events in Europe appear to be moving much faster. A further configuration of nations-an inner grouping-has been in existence for more than a year. If you count Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg as one power or authority-as the Benelux grouping-there are nine authorities or groups in this inner configuration that are now bound together within the single currency.

Greece was originally refused entry, as it was felt her economy would not be able to stand with the others. Recently, however, Greece has gotten her act together and has resubmitted her application to join the single currency. This will be considered in June with the anticipation that the European Union will admit Greece to this inner grouping, effectively the 10th member by the end of this year.

A single currency is always the key to the establishment of a federal system. Babylon certainly had it, as did Rome. In World War II, Hitler instituted a single currency throughout occupied Europe, the reichsmark.

The key to the single currency is Germany. It is interesting to note how it was with much soul-searching that Germany decided to give up the deutsche mark. So attached is the German to his DM that there is no way that the nation would give it up, unless it felt there was great national benefit in doing so.

With a single currency, there is a necessity for a central control. The European Central Bank in Frankfurt now sets the interest rates for the whole of the inner grouping. A single currency necessitates a central political control and common taxation.

For centuries, Germany has been at the center of European affairs. Today, Germany has regained this status within the EU. It has large and powerful industries.

It is interesting to note that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, in a speech given in 1995 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said: "You have not anchored Germany to Europe; you have anchored Europe to a newly dominant, unified Germany. In the end, my friends, you'll find it will not work."

Britain has consistently tried to prevent a federal system from coming into being in Europe. Britain historically has kept away from political involvement within Europe, preferring to use the policy of "balance of power" to prevent any one power dominating the whole of Europe. For 500 years, this policy has been highly successful.

Currently all EU member states have veto power when it comes to certain economic and military issues. But soon they may be forced to yield their veto power, which would transfer more power to the European Commission and Parliament.

The end of Britain's veto?

Why are Germany and France pushing for 13 nations of eastern Europe to become members of the European Union, but not as members of the single currency group? Some analysts believe that with the addition of these nations as members of the European Union, it will not be possible for any one nation to have a veto, as this would render the whole system unworkable. All decisions then would be by majority voting.

There is another reason for the extension of the European Union eastward. Germany especially has always feared attack from the east. In World War II Germany used Poland as a buffer zone against the first impact of a strike by the Soviet Union. The 13 nations trying to enter the European Union extend from the Baltic to the Black Sea in an unbroken chain, from Estonia to Bulgaria, forming a perfect buffer zone on the eastern borders of the EU.

Concerns regarding the threat from the east have increased recently as a new rapprochement arises between Russia and China, both nuclear powers. There is also a new militarism within Russia, with a 50 percent increase in military spending, in spite of the poverty of the average Russian citizen.

Reaction to Freedom Party sets a precedent

Doesn't the average European citizen have a lot to say about the development of the Union, since it is a democracy? Actually, it is a democracy in name only. European institutions such as the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the Central Bank, and the President of the European Commission are all appointed-not elected to office.

A graphic example of the way things work in the European Union occurred recently in Austria. Austria conducted a democratic election last winter. The right wing Freedom Party, led by Jorg Haider, did extremely well and was then taken into the government in a coalition. The EU objected very strongly to the Freedom Party having a part in government and immediately applied heavy sanctions against Austria to try to force the isolation of the Freedom Party.

Whether or not one agrees with the Freedom Party is beside the point. What is important to understand is what the European Union did.

A heavy hand was applied by the EU against a small member state simply because the Union did not like a particular party that was democratically elected. Today, it is Austria. Who will it be tomorrow? Britain? And for what other reasons?

How does all this tie in with Daniel 2? It is in the days of a colossal empire with great wealth, strength and trading power, with a support grouping of 10 kings, powers or authorities, that the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. It is in the "latter days" that this will happen. It is just before the return of Jesus Christ that this will occur. At the end of verse 45, God says through Daniel, "The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure."

In chapter 12, Daniel is wondering when the culmination of all these things will be. In verse 6 the question is asked by one of two angelic beings he sees on the riverbank, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" In other words, when it all comes to a head, how long will the end game be? In verse 7, the being described as "a man clothed in linen," says, "it shall be for a time, times and half a time," meaning three and a half years.

Toward the end of the last chapter of Daniel, he is told, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9). This tells us that when it all comes about, God's people will understand and recognize just what it is that is rising in front of our eyes.

"Countdown to Disaster"

The London Daily Mail of January 7, 2000, spoke of a "Countdown to Disaster." It said, "…;this is the make-or-break year for Britain's continued membership of the European Union.…; The deadline comes next December when the leaders of the EU meet, probably in Paris, to sign what will be arguably the most decisive European treaty yet-the one which, by giving the EU its own written constitution, will mark a last crucial step in welding 'Europe' into a single state."

What is Britain to do now to try to prevent this? There is nothing that it can do!

The power Britain once had has gone. The days when Britain could prevent Europe rising as a powerful, dominant and domineering federal state have gone.

How do we know that what we see happening in Europe at such a frightening speed is the final fulfillment of Daniel 2 and later chapters of Revelation? We cannot know at this time, but these events must be watched carefully in view of Bible prophecy.

What are we to do about it? Keep our eyes on these and related developments in the Middle East. We must also diligently attend to our spiritual character, to prepare for our future calling. The Church must be about the Work the Father has called us to do, to preach the good news of the coming Kingdom of God along with a warning of what is to happen before that Kingdom is set up. And we need to pray always, "Your Kingdom come"-and please may it be soon! WNP